Threat of terror attacks in UK to remain high for at least another two years, say security chiefs
2 min read
The threat of more terror attacks in the UK will remain high for at least another two years and could even increase, according to security chiefs.
The grim warning is contained in the National Security Capability Review, to be launched by Theresa May on Wednesday.
Britain was hit by Islamist terror atrocities in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green last year, promoting security chiefs to raise the threat level to 'critical', the highest it can be, on two occasions.
The NSCR will say: "We expect the threat from Islamist terrorism to remain at its current heightened level for at least two years and it might increase further."
In her introduction to the report, the Prime Minister says the Government will "use every capability at our disposal" in order to tackle the threats the UK faces from terrorists or countries like Russia, Iran and North Korea.
That will take the form of a new 'Fusion Doctrine' bringing together all arms of government in order to defend Britain against its enemies, she says.
Mrs May writes: "Over the past year in the UK we have witnessed appalling terrorist attacks in London and Manchester. But also a brazen and reckless act of aggression on the streets of Salisbury: attempted murder using an illegal chemical weapon, amounting to an unlawful use of force against the UK.
"Crucially what all of these incidents have made clear is that our national security is conditional on not only the police and security services who work so hard to keep us safe at home, or on the brave men and women of our Armed Forces working tirelessly around the world – but on our ability to mobilise most effectively the full range of our capabilities in concert to respond to the challenges we face.
"So as this report sets out, we have agreed a new approach to the orchestration of our national security capabilities. Based on the new Fusion Doctrine, this approach will ensure that in defending our national security we make better use of all of our capabilities: from economic levers, through cutting-edge military resources to our wider diplomatic and cultural influence on the world’s stage.
"Every part of our government and every one of our agencies has its part to play. As long as we defend our interests and stand up for our values, there will continue to be those who seek to undermine or attack us.
"But these people should be in no doubt that we will use every capability at our disposal to defeat them."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
